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Esther: God’s Invisible Hand At Work Esther 1-10

Esther: God’s Invisible Hand At Work Esther 1-10. Going through a crisis  in hindsight we see the God at work helping us through our problems Providence of God - Latin word providēre pro – means “before” ; vidēre – verb meaning “I see”

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Esther: God’s Invisible Hand At Work Esther 1-10

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  1. Esther: God’s Invisible Hand At WorkEsther 1-10 • Going through a crisisin hindsight we see the God at work helping us through our problems • Providence of God - Latin word providēre • pro – means “before” ; vidēre – verb meaning“I see” • God’s providence  his ability to see everything before it happens. • Romans 8:28 (NIV) - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

  2. Esther: a very unique book in the Bible. • The name of God is never mentioned at all • We still see evidence of his fingerprints everywhere. • It can behard to see God in the everyday routine of life. • He is there - we need to be sensitive to his presence, his power, and his providence at work.

  3. Babylon invaded Judah – exiled all the people • 50 years later: Persian Empire conquered Babylon under King Cyrus the Great. • Some Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. • Thousands of Jews stayed  felt secure in Persia. • New king, Xerxes (Ahasuerus) ruled over all of the empire from India to Ethiopia. • Book of Esther - 60 years after the first Jews returned to Jerusalem. • Plot: the survival of the entire Jews race

  4. 1. The Disaster Facing God’s People • Queen Vashtirefused to obey the king’s demand to parade in front of his guests • King Xerxes divorced her and removed her as queen. • A search began for a new queen. • Esther - a very beautiful young Jewish woman. • She was an orphan who had been raised by her older cousin, Mordecai. • Esther becomes queen but the king didn’t know she was a Jew.

  5. The king promoted one of his officials – Haman - chief over the princes in the empire. • Haman was evil and prideful. • Mordecai, the Jew, refused to bow to him. • Haman was furious  plotted to annihilate all Jews in the Empire. • He manipulated the king to issue a royal edict to destroy all the Jews.

  6. We all face crises at times  severe trials that put extreme pressure on us. • What do you do when you face a crisis?

  7. When you face a crisis in life, don’t isolate yourself from God and try to carry your burdens alone. Turn them over to Jesus. • Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV) 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. • Psalm 121:1–2 (NIV) 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

  8. 2. The Decision Facing Esther • Esther 4:8–11 (NIV) 8 He [Mordecai] also gave …a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to urge her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. 9 Hathach went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai,

  9. 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

  10. Esther felt completely helpless to intervene on behalf of her people. • Esther was thinking on a human level – how to solve the problem herself - not how God might interveneto save his people • Esther 4:12–14a (NIV) 12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.

  11. Esther 4:14b (NIV) - And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” • Mordecai was testing Esther: • her character; her faith in God. • Esther 4:15,16 (NIV) - 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

  12. 3. The Daring Actions of Esther • Esther showed great courage and entered the throne room of the king – uninvited. • God intervened - the king extended his scepter to welcome the Queen • There are times when we are called to take a risk for God and stand up for our faith: • at school • in our workplace, • standing up for what’s right – stop gossip; protect someone’s reputation • share your faith: invite a friend or neighbour for the Billy Graham “My HOPE” video

  13. 4. The Dire Consequences for Haman • Esther finally revealed her identity to the king and uncovered Haman’s plot to destroy all the Jews. • The king was furious and ordered Haman to be hung on the very gallows he built to kill Mordecai. • Mordecai was promoted to Haman’s position. • The Jewish race was saved. • The Feast of Purim celebrated.

  14. 5. The Definite Lessons from Esther • Ref: Chuck Swindoll: Esther – A Woman of Strength and Dignity • When all seems lost, it isn’t • God was still in control! • There is always hope when we have God on our side. • When no one else seems to care, God does • Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV) - For [God] Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” • 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV) - …casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

  15. When everything seems to be going great for our enemies, it’s not. • As a child of God, we know that we serve a God of justice and righteousness. • When nothing seems just, it is • Justice seems so far removed from the world we live in. • God has rescued us through Jesus Christ, and one day he will judge all things with justice and righteousness and every person will give an account for his actions.

  16. Acts 17:31 (NIV) - For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed.” • Hebrews 4:13 (NIV) - Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. • We can live in hope because we know that our God is sovereign and will accomplish his plan to restore all things through Jesus Christ his Son. • 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) - We live by faith, not by sight.

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